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People & animals

Our animals

Ponies, sheep, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, chickens and giant land snails: meet the animals of the Sommerhof.

Our animals are an important part of every encounter at the Sommerhof. Together we watch them, care for them and stroke them. Children and adults learn how much responsibility an animal needs – for its well-being, its health and its care.

  • The light-brown foal Som Lilou, only days old, standing in the straw of a stall

    Som Lilou

    Pony

    Som Lilou was born at the Sommerhof on 4 July 2023. Back then, as a light-brown foal, we called her our “little princess”. Ponies are herd animals: they need other horses, exercise and plenty of time in the paddock. Young ponies learn to deal with people step by step – being groomed, lifting their hooves, walking on a lead rope. That takes patience and calm, from animal and human alike.

  • The brown-and-white piebald mare Tinkerbell standing at the metal fence in front of the red stable wall

    Tinkerbell

    Horse · Piebald

    Tinkerbell is a piebald mare with a brown-and-white coat and a dark mane. We fondly call her our “lovable stubborn one”: anyone working with her needs experience and a clear, calm manner. Horses are herd and flight animals and respond sensitively to body language and mood.

  • Two ponies, a black one and a light-brown one, standing side by side at the fence of the Sommerhof

    Unsere Ponydamen

    Pony · Shetland pony

    Our pony ladies are Shetland ponies – we fondly call them the “Shetty ladies”. Shetland ponies are small and sturdy, which makes them good partners for children. In the pony club and in animal-assisted support, children learn how to handle horses with them: grooming, picking out hooves, feeding and leading. Anyone who feels brave enough can have their first ride on a pony’s back.

  • A hand scratching the chin of a dark brown sheep wearing a red collar

    Mäählanie, Mäählissa, Määhry und Mäährlin

    Sheep · Breton dwarf sheep

    Mäählanie, Mäählissa, Määhry and Mäährlin are Breton dwarf sheep. The four of them joined the team at the Sommerhof at the end of 2025. Sheep are wonderful companions in animal-assisted work: with their gentle nature they can help people cope with fears and psychological challenges. The lanolin in their wool stimulates tactile perception and can help to reduce increased muscle tone.

  • Two grey pot-bellied pigs eating frozen fruit in their run

    Unsere Hängebauchschweine

    Pot-bellied pig

    Our pot-bellied pigs are a firm part of the Sommerhof. Pigs are clever and sociable animals. Because they cannot sweat, they like to cool off in the mud on hot days – and in summer we sometimes give them frozen fruit as a refreshment. In the farm explorers courses, pigs are a topic of their own.

  • Lots of white, grey, black and brown rabbits sitting close together in a circle in the straw, heads to the middle

    Unsere Kaninchen

    Rabbit

    Our rabbits live in a group, because rabbits are sociable animals and should never be kept alone. Children may feed and stroke them during courses, birthday parties and the petting hour. A visit to the rabbits is also part of Hofzeit. Rabbits are prey animals and like to be handled calmly and gently.

  • A guinea pig with black, reddish-brown and white markings eating green leaves

    Unsere Meerschweinchen

    Guinea pig

    Our guinea pigs live in a species-appropriate group, because guinea pigs are sociable animals and need company of their own kind. They communicate with lots of different sounds – from a soft rumble to a loud squeak. Fresh greens are among their favourite food. Guinea pigs are prey animals and feel safest with all four paws on the ground. That is why they like to be handled calmly and gently.

  • Fluffy brown and white silkie chickens perched side by side on a wooden beam in front of a wooden wall

    Unsere Hühner

    Chicken

    At our farm, colourful eggs are not just for Easter: our hens lay eggs in blue-green, pink and reddish brown. The chickens live in the henhouse and in the mobile chicken coop. Children may feed them grain, watch them peck and sometimes stroke them – at our family days there was even a chicken massage. Chickens are curious and live in a fixed pecking order.

  • Two giant African land snails in a terrarium among moss, fern and vegetables

    Unsere Riesen-Achatschnecken

    Giant African land snail

    Giant land snails are not only great animals to watch. Their slow movements train mindfulness. The heavy snails can also help with sensory support. Our giant African land snails live in a terrarium with soil, moss and fern and get fresh vegetables. Letting a snail crawl carefully over your hand takes calm and patience.